Well engineers work for well management companies that carry out work for both small oil and gas organisations that don’t have their own engineering resources, and for large companies looking for extra services. They can be involved in planning new well drilling, managing production and decommissioning wells at the end of production. 

The Work

You could be: 

• producing drawings/plans and calculations required for successful well designs and production management 
• planning and coordinating with different service providers to carry out the decommissioning of wells 
• carrying out engineering studies and preparing technical reports relating to well design, production or decommissioning 
• liaising with other professionals and clients to agree on project plans, outcomes and costs 
• reporting on project progress, well production rates and costs  
• writing procedures concerned with health and safety, environmental and other statutory requirements 
• managing subcontracted services required, such as companies providing subsea machinery.

Pay

The figures below are only a guide. Actual pay rates may vary, depending on: 

• where you work 
• the size of the company or organisation you work for 
• the demand for the job.

Starting pay for a well engineer is around £30,000 to £40,000 a year. With experience this increases to between £50,000 and £100,000 a year. 

Conditions

• You would spend some time working onshore at a company office and offshore on oil rigs or platforms. 
• Onshore hours are mostly regular, Monday to Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm, but you might occasionally work evenings and weekends.   
• Offshore working hours are normally 12-hour shifts, including nights, and you can spend one or two weeks there at a time.   
• You have to fly by helicopter between the rig or platform and onshore.   
• When offshore, you would live in shared accommodation and meals are provided.   
• On offshore installations it can be cold, wet and stormy. 
• When offshore you would wear protective clothing and safety equipment such as gloves, boots and a hard hat.

Getting In

• A degree in an engineering, environmental or energy subject, or chemical or physical science (SCQF Level 9-11) is usually required. If you don't go directly into a degree after school, you could take the route of doing an HNC (SCQF Level 7), an HND (SCQF Level 8) and then move into the final two years of a degree. 
• For entry to an HNC or HND course you normally need 1-2 Highers plus some subjects at National 5. For a degree course you need 4-5 Highers including Maths and Chemistry/Physics or a technological subject. 
• Studying for a relevant Foundation Apprenticeship (SCQF Level 6) while in fifth and sixth year at school could count towards entry to an HND or degree in a relevant engineering discipline. Entry requirements vary between colleges, but you usually require 3 subjects at National 5 including English and Maths.  
• You might progress to postgraduate study in a specific area, such as petroleum, energy or renewables. 
• To work offshore you must pass a medical examination every 2 years. 
• You must also pass an offshore survival course such as the Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training Certificate (BOSIET). 
• You may also have to undertake the Minimum Industry Safety Training (MIST) course.

Well engineers may work directly for oil and gas companies, or for offshore engineering companies. 

Job Outlook Scotland

Job Outlook Scotland and UK

  Scotland

2024

7039

1.4 %

RISE

2029

7141

  United Kingdom

2024

72354

2.7 %

RISE

2029

74333

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What Does it Take?

You need to have: 

• excellent maths, science and technology skills 
• technical and practical ability 
• critical thinking and problem solving skills 
• good IT skills 
• excellent communication skills 
• strong decision making skills. 

You need to be able to: 

• work under pressure 
• work in a team and motivate others 
• work on your own initiative 
• collaborate with a wide range of professionals 
• continually learn and adapt.

Training

• You might take professional qualifications, such as those accredited by the International Well Control Forum (IWCF). 
• You must keep up to date with legislation and new developments throughout your career. 

Getting On

• If you have qualified in an engineering discipline, with further training and practical experience you can register with the Engineering Council as a professional engineer – either Incorporated Engineer (IEng) or Chartered Engineer (CEng). 
• For IEng you need to have a recognised Bachelor degree or a recognised HNC or HND plus further study to Bachelor’s degree. 
• For CEng you need to have a recognised Bachelor’s degree with Honours (SCQF Level 10) plus a recognised Masters degree (or equivalent), or a recognised Integrated Master of Engineering degree (SCQF Level 11). 

More Information

The My Energy Future website provides information on the energy industry and careers available.